If you have boys, get a cardboard box and write "Old Cookery Books" on the side. It will never get touched.

If you have girls, do the same with "Printer cartridges"

I once left a Tenga Fliphole out in the shower to dry. My daughter found it - I said it was a waterproof case for an Ipod so you could use it in the shower. She seemed satisfied by that, so I left it there for a week and everyone lost interest,

We have recently bought an old secondhand chest (smaller than a blanket box) with a large brass lock on it. It looks great and handy for all our bits n bobs. The kids aren't allowed in our room anyway and are well trained to knock, we knock on their door too.